An Alberton couple thanked God, their security company and the doctors at the Netcare Alberton Hospital after surviving what they describe as a miraculous recovery.

On September 26, while baking a cake for a friend’s birthday, Schantelle Pawson received a call from her husband, Mike (71), who had just been to the gym and stopped at the Meyersdal Driving Range to hit a bucket of golf balls.

Mike told his wife that he suddenly felt intense chest pain. He handed back the bucket, telling the staff he would hit them another day.

Struggling to put his clubs in the car, he began driving home.

“He called to tell me to call an ambulance and said he was taking the Hart Avenue route in case he didn’t get home,” said Schantelle.

CPS Security to the rescue

“I was beside myself, asking the Lord to help me, but was in a flat spin,” she said.

“I thought I should get the garage door and gate open for him to just drive straight in. I called a friend and asked her to call an ambulance in the meantime.”

As she stood at the gate holding the sensor so it would stay open, two CPS Security officers saw her in distress from their gate opposite her home.

“They asked me if I was okay, as they thought I had been robbed. I explained the situation and, a few minutes later at around 09:50, Mike arrived home,” said Schantelle.

He looked gravely ill; ashen, sweating profusely, struggling to breathe and in severe pain.

“The CPS guys took over and, suddenly, there were a lot of them,” said Schantelle.

“They got my husband into the house and onto the couch and monitored him while calling the ambulance and telling them exactly how serious the situation was.”

According to Schantelle, the CPS team remained on the scene when the ambulance arrived and helped with what the paramedics needed. They turned off the stove and oven and ensured the home was locked before Schantelle left for the hospital.

“I later heard that Damian and his team stayed in contact with the hospital to get updates on my husband, whose heart had stopped for 20 minutes,” said Schantelle.

“I believe that if it had not been for their quick response, “I would have been planning a funeral.”

A miracle survival

Mike recalled, “I went to the gym and afterwards, to hit balls at the driving range. While busy with that, I felt something wrong with my chest. I put the back balls back and called my wife and said to call an ambulance, there’s something wrong. When I was approaching the gate, I saw my wife standing there, calling, ‘Jesus help me’.

@albertonrecordAn Alberton couple thanked God, their security company and the doctors at the Netcare Alberton Hospital after surviving what they describe as a miraculous recovery. On September 26, while baking a cake for a friend’s birthday, Schantelle Pawson received a call from her husband, Mike (71), who had just been to the gym and stopped at the Meyersdal Driving Range to hit a bucket of golf balls. Mike told his wife that he suddenly felt intense chest pain. He handed back the bucket, telling the staff he would hit them another day. Struggling to put his clubs in the car, he began driving home. Read full story on albertonrecord.co.za♬ original sound – Alberton Record

There was also CPS Security. They called an ambulance. I don’t remember much after that, as I collapsed.”

When they arrived at the Alberton Hospital, doctors told the family that Mike needed an urgent operation.

“The doctors wanted R350 000 because the cardiologist had to perform the procedure,” said Schantelle.

“I told them we don’t have that kind of money. The doctor said that since we didn’t have medical aid, there was one thing they could do that cost less than R350 000.

“They said it helped 50% of patients but killed one in every 100. I said to ask for permission from my husband because he was still lucid. He gave permission.”

The family had to pay the cardiologist R100 000 to do the surgery.

“A friend loaned us the money,” she said.

According to Schantelle, Mike died for several minutes during the 20-minute cardiac arrest, and doctors told her it was a miracle that he woke up without brain damage.

“I wouldn’t have been alive if it hadn’t been for my wife acting the way she did, and I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for CPS, who kept calling for the ambulance,” said Mike.

“I am also thankful for the prayers that came from all over the world, as my wife asked people on Facebook to pray for me.”

Thankful for another chance

Mike also thanked God for saving his life.

Schantelle said they had no choice but to take him to the Alberton Hospital.

“It’s the only hospital close to us. If we had taken him somewhere else, he would have died. I don’t doubt that,” said Schantelle.

“Despite the challenges and the rules they work under, they were good doctors. Even the one lady who came to me on Monday when I came to fetch him said, ‘Mr Pawson, what I want you to do is never stop working for the Lord because you shouldn’t be here. It’s a miracle. You were dead for several minutes, and you have no brain damage’. She also said very few people survived not breathing for that long.”

After the procedure, Mike struggled to sleep and do his usual activities because of pain from the operation.

“They had to break my ribs to get my heart restarted. That was extremely painful,” Mike said.

“My job is stressful. I need to calm down and recover. Maybe I will go back to work in February.”

Family appeals for community support

Mike had a lifesaving stent procedure, but the medical bills are overwhelming. The family still expects accounts from the physiotherapists and anaesthetist, and they owe the Netcare Alberton Hospital R121 895 90.

@albertonrecordAn Alberton couple thanked God, their security company and the doctors at the Netcare Alberton Hospital after surviving what they describe as a miraculous recovery. On September 26, while baking a cake for a friend’s birthday, Schantelle Pawson received a call from her husband, Mike (71), who had just been to the gym and stopped at the Meyersdal Driving Range to hit a bucket of golf balls. Mike told his wife that he suddenly felt intense chest pain. He handed back the bucket, telling the staff he would hit them another day. Struggling to put his clubs in the car, he began driving home. Read full story on albertonrecord.co.za

♬ original sound – Alberton Record

Although donations have gone into their BackaBuddy account, they still need about R200 000.

“We are grateful to everyone who has supported us,” said Schantelle.

“The doctors and staff at the hospital said Mike’s survival is nothing short of a miracle, and I know the Lord used Damian and his crew from CPS to help save him. I want to give them credit for going way beyond the call of duty. May God bless them and their families.”

How to help

To assist, donate directly to the Netcare Alberton Hospital.

Bank name: FNB;

Account type: Corporate cheque account;

Account name: Netcare Hospitals (Pty) Ltd T/A Netcare Alberton;

Registration number: 1996/006591/07;

Account number: 6294 0273 999;

Bank: RMB Corporate;

Branch name and code: Johannesburg 255 005;

Reference: Patient Case number 101 821 9054.

Email proof of payment to Albertonpreadmissions@netcare.co.za

Enquiries: 011 742 3000.

Mike and Schantelle live in New Redruth, Alberton, and are thankful to everyone who has offered prayers, financial help and support as Mike recovers.